The governments of Syria and Iran both spoke out strongly against President Bush's characterization of them as nations that support international terrorism and oppose peace and democracy.

Bush described Syria of letting terrorists use territory in both Syria itself and its satellite nation of Lebenon to disrupt the Middle East peace process. Hezbollah in particular, has headquarters in Damascus and in Lebenon.

Syria indicated it was doing all it could to stop insurgents from entering Iraq and reiterated its willingness to resume peace negotiations with Israel 'without conditions.'

Bush called Iran the 'world's primary state sponsor of terror' and accused Tehran of attempting to build nuclear weapons.

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry claimed, 'Americans are ignoring the established democracy in Iran since the (1979) revolution.'

Another commentator on Iranian radio added, 'Why is Bush only interested in promoting democracy in oil-rich regions?'

It is doubtful that American relations with either Syria or Iran will improve greatly in the near future.